Coaches meeting again in playoff

Union's Bennett and Providence's Leaman once worked together

Mark Singelai, Times Union

By Mark Singelais

Published 10:35 pm, Friday, March 28, 2014

Union goaltender Colin Stevens makes a save against Vermont during the second period during a game in the men's NCAA East Regional hockey tournament Friday, March 28, 2014, in Bridgeport, Conn.(AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

Union goaltender Colin Stevens makes a save against Vermont during...

Union players celebrate their first goal against Vermont during the first period of a game in the men's NCAA East Regional hockey tournament Friday, March 28, 2014, in Bridgeport, Conn. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

Union players celebrate their first goal against Vermont during the...

After Union defeated Vermont 5-2 in one semifinal Friday, the Friars blanked Quinnipiac 4-0 to set up a meeting that has plenty of subplots.

Bennett, a 1990 Providence graduate, served as an assistant for six years under Leaman in Schenectady. Bennett was elevated to head coach when Leaman left for Providence in 2011, citing family reasons.

This will be the first time they've been on opposing benches. Providence and Union haven't played since 2008, when Leaman and Bennett were on the same side.

"Actually, it'd be an honor,"Bennett said. "He gave me a second chance in this game, and I really appreciate it. I learned a ton working for him."

Leaman said he won't be distracted by their personal relationship.

"Rick earned his second chance,"Leaman said. "Rick's a hell of a coach. The one thing you learn, there's no such thing as a perfect head coach. There's a perfect staff. I think once the puck is dropped, I don't think anybody on the ice is going to think about it. It's one game to see who advances."

Bennett was out of a job in 2005 when Providence, where he served as an assistant for five seasons, laid off the coaching staff.

"I got fired," Bennett said. "There's a little bit of that, too, that'll always stay with me. But I also know that's where I graduated from. People gave me a great chance there, and I got a second life there being a coach for five years. A lot of great memories, a lot of super people."

Bennett was inducted into the Providence Athletic Hall of Fame three years ago. He was a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 1990.

But Bennett said his loyalty lies with the Dutchmen now.

"I bleed garnet, so that's the way it goes," he said. "You know what? Allegiances change. That's the way it goes in this business."

Bennett insisted he's still happy for Providence, which is 22-10-6.

Just as he did at Union, Leaman has breathed life into the Friars, who are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001.

"I'm an alum, so I'm pretty proud of what they've done," Bennett said. "The guys I talk to that I graduated with are very proud of them, too."

When he was still at Union, Leaman was involved in recruiting the players who are seniors on this year's team, including defenseman Mat Bodie. None of them actually played for him.

"What he did for the program, you can't thank enough," Bodie said. "But he's on the opposing side now, so I'm sure there won't be any pleasantries during the game."